Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-25


Senator Allison is s lawyer by prOfcs-
sion, though he has not practiced for q
quarter of century. He was born in
Ono, and spent his early years on his
fathers farm, working in summer and
tramping two or three miles to an cid
tieid school in winter, He did not fare
much better thar most farmers sons IN
those pioneer days Of Ohio, nut ne showed
a taste Tor study and his father had the
good sense 10 allow him to crafty it. In
due time he went to college, first 10
Meadville, Pa, and later to the Western
Reserve College. After graduation he
studied and practiCed law in his native
state, but without remarkable success,
and ne determined to move further west
In 1857, when he was tWenty-eight, he
settled In Dubuque. Iowa, as good locs-
ton, and he removed his scant property,
which consisted for the most part of a
few law books, aud hung out his shingle
| in that rown. After events showed that
il was g lucky move.
Dubuque was the home of the late
Senator Grimes, and between that well
known public man and the struggling
young lawyer q warm friendship soon
sprang up. Allison became q frequent
visitor to the hospitable residence of the
old Senator, but its genial master was
not the only attraction, as he soon found
out. Grimes had no children of his Owl,
but he had living with him an adopted
daughter who bore his name. She was
beautiful girl, q dark brunette, accom-
| plished and highly educated. The two
! young people were naturally attracted
toward one another and the old Senator
made no objection. The courtship grew
apace and soon the day was set for the
marriage.
The first pPblic ofi:n ever held by Mr..
Allison was that OF Representative in
! Congress. The second was that of Sen
&:0r, and these are the only two positions
he has ever held. He served four cortin-
uouS terms in the House, and from there
! he went to the S-Haae, where he is now
serving hi, third term ri six years, with
a Likelihood Of staying there So long as he
! pleases. Mr.. Allison does not often make
speech in the Senate. As chairman OF
the Senate appropriations commit
tee, much OF his time is necees-
ssrily occupied, but if anything relating
to revenue, taxation, or the tariff comes
up, he generally finds the time to make ct
! least one exhaustive speech on it II
would be good thing for Congress if the
Iowa Senator would speak oftener than
he does. He has q strong mellow voice,
his delivery is earnest and impressive
aud his handling of q subject is master
full. But ne seems to appreciate the real
situation Of affairs. Il is not the orator
but the worker who makes the most i'm
preston in the craftsmanship of this age.
The real work OF the Senate is done by
score of men; the rest are either lazy,
have no talent, or are Indifferent.
When O'Clock has arrived, tsie Senafe
adjourned and the WORK of the day Isl
over, you will see the erect form OF Sena1I
tor Allison issue from the west door of
the capitol, and descend the three or foursl
flights OF stairs that lead from the grounds
to Pennsylvania avenue. He rarely rides
to or from the capitol, though he keeps
a carriage and horses. Though Senator
Allison is nearly tifty-nine years old, you
would easily believe that he was but
forty-1Ve. He has a singularly handsome
person and for years he was known as
he handsomest man IN Congress, and to-
day he does not look ten years older than
he did when he was a congress
man. His head Is covered by an
abundant growth of derk brown hair
that is streaked with gray. He wears no
mOuStaCne ana MS tnlck OearQ IS always
closely trimmed. His face is of youth
full, though withsl serious, caste. He has
smooth complexion and his cheeks are
as rosy as any country girls. His fore
head is high, broad and protrudiDg, his
eyes dark brown or hazel and his face is
always lighted 10 with winning, sympa
thetic smile. His figure is Of medium
height, he weighs about 100 pounds and
is exceilently proportioned. He is care
ful ia his personal apparel aud dresses !
always in good taste, looking exactly
wnat he is, gentleman and 9 Senator.
The home life of Senator Allison is q |
simple an d at the same time as delightful +,
SIS taat OF any Of his constituents. He
Owls one of the most charming resi- !
denCes in the capital. It is situated on |
Vermont avenue in the very heart of the |
fashionable section. Among mis- immedi- !
ate nelghbors are Senators Morrill,, Payne |
and Edmunds, just across the circle is the
modest mansion of Secretary Bayard and |
next to it is the elegant residence of JUS
tice Miller Of the Supreme bench. The |
house Is q rather peculiar one, surround
ed SIS it Is by modern marvels of flaming
red brick. 1t is built Of brick, painted a